Identifying Cricothyroid Membrane With Ultrasound

Learning Curve of Inexperienced Trainees for Identifying Cricothyroid Membrane With Ultrasound in Pediatric Patients

Cannot-intubate cannot-ventilate situations in healthy children are uncommon but are often associated with poor outcome. We studied the learning curves of inexperienced trainees for identifying cricothyroid membrane with ultrasound in pediatric patients. After watching an instructional video, 30 trainees performed 5 cricothyroid membrane identification on pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia. We analysed their learning curves relative to performance time and ultrasound anatomy of cricothyroid membrane and relative structures.

Inclusion Criteria:

• pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia

Exclusion Criteria:

• previous history of tracheostomy
• previous history of operation on neck